Nike Attempts to Break the 2-Hour Marathon This Weekend

Nike Attempts to Break the 2-Hour Marathon This Weekend

Nike's Breaking2 Project and what we know about how they plan on going Sub 2-Hours

This weekend Nike has planned an attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier with one of thee three runners: Eliud Kipchoge, Zersenay Tadese, and Lelisa Desis. While the current marathon world record is 2:02:57 set at the Berlin Marathon in 2014, many experts dont expect it will happen.

Nike's Breaking2 project has come with much controversy surrounding the attempt including: drafting behind the pace vehicle, the legality of Nike's Vaporify shoes that have a carbon fiber plate embedded in the insole, and the fact that they don't know the exact start time because they are waiting to see when the weather conditions will be ideal.

The pacing group did a half marathon test on Italy's Autodromo Nazionale Monza the infamous Formula One Track. Groups of 3 pacers would be at the front in a triangle formation and switch the lead to another group of three after each 4.8KM lap. These pacers include 5 time Olympian Bernard Legat and other Americans Chris Derrick, Sam Chelanga, and Andrew Bumbalough.

MEET THE RUNNERS

NIKE'S SHOE DESIGNED TO GO SUB-2

Can these big names help break the 2-hour marathon for the first time ever? Despite the controversy and doubts about the Nike Breaking2 Project it has been an interesting journey to follow and what changes will it bring about if any to future marathons. Everyone has their own thoughts on the success of Breaking2, the new technology and even the secrecy behind much of the project.

Alex Hutchinson has followed the Breaking2 project closely and here are a few of his articles on the topic. His work appears in Canadian Running Magazine, Runners World, the Globe & Mail and Sweat Science where he writes about fitness myths, training truths, and other surprising discoveries from the science of exercise.

“It’s a great challenge to break two hours but I wish it was done on the official course and regulations.”MEB KEFLEZIGHI

WHY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO RUN A 2 HOUR MARATHON - WIRED

A few notes as this weekend’s Breaking2 race approaches.

RUNNERS WORLD - ByAlex HutchinsonWEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017, 12:15 PMDuring the half marathon trial at Monza on March 7, pacers run in an arrowhead formation to reduce drag on the stars of the show. CHRIS LAWRENCE

An Exclusive, Behind-the-Scenes Look at How Nike Is Trying to Break the 2-Hour Marathon Barrier

RUNNERS WORLD ByAlex HutchinsonWEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017, 11:49 AMThe runners—from left, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea—were handpicked by Nike and given a shot at history. At left is the shoe designed specifically for their attempt. JONATHAN KAMBOURIS (LEFT); CHRIS LAWRENCE (RIGHT)